Crown Heights North Tour Open Thread
We were out of town, so we’re dying to hear how the First Annual Crown Heights North House Tour went on Saturday. So far, we’ve only gotten one email from a reader who attended. Here’s what she had to say: This was a different kind of house tour. It was not a tour to showcase…
We were out of town, so we’re dying to hear how the First Annual Crown Heights North House Tour went on Saturday. So far, we’ve only gotten one email from a reader who attended. Here’s what she had to say:
This was a different kind of house tour. It was not a tour to showcase the latest renovation. It, instead, featured the original details of most homes. Several of the homes were a bit run down in my opinion but others were knock-your-socks off worthy. In particular two Crown Heights sisters have the most complimentary taste. The pair, who split a home at 9 Hampton Place (one of CH’s most charming enclaves), have taken the homes original details and added some great antique pieces without feeling stuffy. On the top floor, there is a tin ceiling with a skylight and free standing counters and it is wonderful. In the apartment downstairs, the glass tile and a 1950s lime green stove are whimsical and stunning all at the same time. Lots of preserved wood work and exposed brick help unite the new and the old. Also loved 829 Lincoln Place (photo). It’s owned by a younger couple who have renovated but maintained many original details. The added a parlor floor kitchen with a great counter top made from recycled materials and have a hidden top story. It’s also extremely colorful but still tasteful. One suggestion to the planners for next year, ALLOW PHOTOGRAPHY…
Any other feedback?
House Tourers, (Re)Start Your Engines: Crown Heights Next [Brownstoner]
Photo by Krista Kujat for PropertyShark
when you deal with trash, you get trash.
Wow- and you folk think we in crown heights were defensive? (11:17- what- you have an overweening need to defend Park Slope?)I stand by my comments. The little snobby comments about “raw”, “Putting booties on for the Crown Heights Home Tour is like a whore putting on a suit of armor before going to work.”, “worst house tour”, “Of the 12 homes we saw, only one was worth seeing. The rest were pretty much raw or otherwise lacking in polish and precision.”- People don’t put their homes on a house tour to be judged. They do it to show pride in their community and their homes and to welcome strangers, who then have the bad taste to turn around and post arrogant, snobbish, uncalled for comments.I may have a chip on my shoulder and be a bitch (interesting you assume I’m a woman- but that’s to be expected from a male chauvinist pig) than an ignorant jerk who can’t come up with anything more intelligent than “anyone get pistolwhipped?”
Why get in a turf war over who suffered or endured more, the 70’s Park Slopers or today’s Crown Heightsters? You are comparing two very different times in this city’s history, and the former has implications on the progression of the latter. There are also issues of race and national origin that also make a direct comparison illogical. They have similarities, but are not the same situations.
And so what? I think 11:06 is simply expressing his/her irritation that people might hold the homeowners, as well as the tour organizers and volunteers up to a higher standard than is required by other communities. Everyone worked very hard, and it seems that the majority of people who attended had a great time, and were pleased. Can we just leave it there?
That’s okay 11:06. I don’t want to hold you up. That chip on your shoulder must weigh a ton.
“Not tony enough for you? You’re more than welcome to stay in the heights or Park Slope. I think the homeowners in CHN have much more reason to be proud of their homes and neighborhood because they faced so many more challenges and had to work harder to make their dreams come true. ”
Wow….what a b*tch!
Tony?
You faced MORE challenges than those in Park Slope did in the 60’s and 70’s!!!???
You really want to say that with a straight face?
Hey, I’m not trying to be either snotty or anything else derogatory. I don’t feel my question was framed in that manner either. I really want to know why someone would say that the “community did not put their best foot forward”, or that “the house tour was not a success”, to quote the poster at 9:58.
Our committee worked practically an entire year to organize this tour, and like anyone who works on a project for that long, and thinks that they have done a pretty good job, I’m interested in hearing why someone would say those things. Other posters have had comments on the booties, the Explorers, or the houses chosen. I’m not defensive or offended by their comments – we want to improve, and we know we aren’t perfect.
But to just throw a comment out there – “the house tour was not a success”, and have no reason why they thought so, is not helpful, or even insightful. So yeah, I’m going to ask why. If this person chooses to answer, great. Again, I’d really like to hear why you would say that. What didn’t you like? How did you feel the community didn’t “put their best foot forward?”
My other comments about shills, etc, are obviously referring to countless, endless previous comments made on this blog by readers whenever Mr. B posts a story or a listing in Crown Heights. To say you haven’t seen those, is to say you started reading this blog today. As a former resident of CH yourself, I would think you would be familiar with those remarks, they are endless. There are a few of them in the posts above. If that makes me overly defensive, well, then maybe I am, as I am proud of not only my community, but how it appeared on Saturday.
Co-Chair
You don’t have to sell me on CH, 10:27. It’s one of my favorite parts of Brooklyn, but I don’t see how that gives you any license to be an asshole.
Who complained that the CH house tour wasn’t “tony” enough? I don’t see that complaint anywhere above.
As a member of the House Tour committee and a “church” sitter I also want to mention the wonderful young people from Americorp who came to help.
In so far as any who were disappointed- I would take your comments much more seriously if you were capable of planning and implementing an House tour or even willing to be part of one. It’s easy to sit there and criticize. But then they say- those that can do, those that can’t, critique.
Are there things that could have gone smoother- sure. and next time they will- but 98% of the people who came, loved the tour and the chance it gave them to see and enjoy not only the homes, but the people. Not tony enough for you? You’re more than welcome to stay in the heights or Park Slope. I think the homeowners in CHN have much more reason to be proud of their homes and neighborhood because they faced so many more challenges and had to work harder to make their dreams come true.
It’s much easier- and a lot less impressive- when you can just buy anything you want. Except you can’t buy good taste or creativity. But if you would rather see real homes and real people, this was the tour. If you think Crown Heights isn’t up to your so-called standards-by all means feel free not to come here.